WINSTON-SALEM –
Narrative films are the bulk of what students learn in the School of
Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, but an
electives course on creating commercials and public service announcements
(PSAs) is gaining popularity -- not only with students but with companies
and organizations who have helped to support their work.

One such company is Truliant Federal Credit Union, which has announced a
corporate gift to the Film School to help finance the course’s various
production and teaching costs. In exchange, juniors and seniors in John
Adams’ “new media” course will get practical experience in working with
clients to produce several commercials and public service announcements.

“It’s a remarkable partnership,” said Film Dean Susan Ruskin. “Commercial
production provides an enormous value to our students to broaden their
resumes. We are pleased that we can offer specialized training, and we are
grateful to companies like Truliant who value the fresh ideas our students
can provide for their brands. The gift from Truliant allows our students to
work on several commercials, public service announcements and corporate
videos.”

This year, students produced a 30-second commercial for Truliant, from
developing the concept to writing the script to filming and editing. The ad
is currently running on television stations serving the Piedmont Triad and
Charlotte markets.

A
scene from the Truliant Federal Credit Union commercial produced by
UNCSA School of Filmmaking

“Through projects like this, students gain real world
marketing experience, learn a brand’s voice,
meet deadlines, get professional feedback and understand
the nuances of their future careers,” said Karen DeSalvo,
chief marketing officer for Truliant. “Truliant is proud
to contribute to and partner with the UNC School of the
Arts, one of our state’s most admired and respected
learning institutions.”

Previous “clients” for commercials include Flow
Automotive, Bob King Automotive, and HanesBrands.
Students in the course have also produced public service
announcements. A recent spot for the North Carolina
Production Alliance promoted the continuation of the
state’s tax incentives for film productions.
Previous PSA clients include Partnership for a Drug-Free
NC, the Mayor’s Council for Persons with Disabilities,
and the Enrichment Center.

“Projects are chosen based on the curriculum,” Ruskin
said. “If the corporate partners are interested in
supporting the learning outcome for our students, then
it is a match.”

Offered each term to 24 students, the course is always
full, Ruskin said. “The students are loving it,” she
said. “And it provides a good way for them to enter the
field, with practical experience on their resumes.”

As America’s first state-supported arts school, the
University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a
unique stand-alone public university of arts
conservatories. With a high school component, UNCSA is a
degree-granting institution that trains young people of
talent in music, dance, drama, filmmaking, and design
and production. Established by the N.C. General Assembly
in 1963, the School of the Arts opened in Winston-Salem
(“The City of Arts and Innovation”) in 1965 and became
part of the University of North Carolina system in 1972.
For more information, visit
www.uncsa.edu.